Can opener



Sept. 25, 1934. J, FLEACA v 1,974,863

CAN OPENER Filed Jan. 5l, 1934 Illl INVENTOR AITORNEY i' 1,9748 f ,ANLPENER',

Flea'c'a, Cleveland, 'Olof Aplieation January 31,

4 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in can openers and to the particular type by the use of which the entire top may be removed and the contents may be dumped or removed from .i the container before removing the device.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a device which will remain locked upon the container edge after the top is removed so that the device may serve as a handle by which the Contents may be poured from the container, the

locking device being released only when the handle is turned counterclockwise.

Another object is to provide a means whereby the device may be used on any shape or size of container with equally good results.

Further objects may be noted from the following specification and accompanying illustrations, in which:

Fig. 1 is an outside elevation showing the dejvice locked upon the container.

Fig. 2 is an inside elevation showing the device in locked and cutting position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary inside elevation showing the device as it is inserted over the container edge Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on lines 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a top plan View showing the cap removing end.

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary front View of a modification of the cutting blade.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section taken on lines 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawing: The device comprises a flat body portion or handle 10 having flanged sides l1 and 12 which form a cap remoV- ing device 13 at the handle end.

A slot 14 is formed in the body or handle 10 by cutting a strip to form a bearing 15 through which is mounted the bent end 16 of a corkscrew shank 17 said shank being bent in such manner as to retain the corkscrew 18 within the channel formed by the body 10 and flanges 11 :and 12 by a tension of the said corkscrew against the flange 11.

The han-dle 10 forms a rounded end 19 which is slotted at 20, and a flanged portion 21 bent at 22 and 23 forms a cutting blade 24 with a cutting edge 25 disposed at an angle and so arranged that the point 26 extends `below the plane of the container top 27, so that as the cutting blade 24 moves around the container 28 the top 27 is completely severed from the said 'container'.

12934,' semi N5. 709,161y

Projecting from the handle 10 is a flat guide portion 29 with a rounded flange 30 disposed angularly from the guide portion 29 which serves as a lock when the device is attached to the container 28.

The mechanism carrying plate comprises an arm 31, plate 32 with one side curved at 33 and other side formed an inclined or cam edge 34 with an indentation 35 in said edge. The plate 32 is formed with a fiange or lip 36 at the upper end of the inclined edge 34.

A butterfly handle 37 has a stub shaft 38 journaled through a flanged bearing 39 mounted within an aperture 40 in the plate 32, and attached to the end of stub shaft 38 is a ratchet wheel 41 with teeth 42 around its entire circumference.

A pin 43 mounted through the slot 20 in the handle 10 is journaled within the arm 31 attaching the mechanism carrying plate 32 pivotally and slidably to the body 10.

In operation the body 10 is placed in the position shown in Fig. 3, and the container rim 45 is then inserted between the cutting blade 24 and the traction wheel 41 with the flange 36 serving as a bearing surface for the container rim 45. The flanged handle 10, being pivoted at 43, is then swung downwardly and moved forward, the forward movement being permitted by the longitudinal slot 20. When in this position the cutting blade 24 has pierced the top 27 of the container and the carrying plate 32 is locked in position, the flange 30 having been shifted, due to the pivotal and longitudinal movement of the handle l0, to engage against the indentation 35 in the inclined edge 34.

The handle 37 is rotated clockwise which rotates the container 28 in an anti-clockwise direction cutting the container top 27 from the container and remaining in a locked position until the handle 37 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction which then releases the said container. While locked, the can can be turned over or manipulated by the handle to empty the contents of the can.

In the modication the cutting blade 24a is shown as a detachable piece attached to body 10 by means of rivets or bolts 50.

I claim:

1. A can opener comprising a handle portion having a blade and also having a longitudinal slot in the end and an inclined flanged guide depending therefrom, and a plate having a pivot slidable in said slot, said plate having an inclined edge which is slidable in said flanged guide and is thus operable to lock the rim of the can between the plate and said handle portion.

2. A can opener comprising a handle portion, and a cutting blade and a anged guide portion depending therefrom, a plate pivoted at the end of said handle portion and terminating at its rear end in a flange which forms a bearing surface upon the bead of a container, the pivoted plate having an inclined edge which is slidable in said guide portion and is thus operable to lock the rim of the can between the handle portion and the plate.

3. A can opener comprising a handle portion having a cutting blade depending therefrom, and also having a depending inclined guide, a plate pivoted to the handle portion andY movable longitudinally thereof, said plate having an inclined edge slidable in the guide, thus being operable to lock the rim of a can between the handle portion and the plate, and a rotary feeding wheel carried by the plate and arranged to engage under the rim of the can and to move the plate lengthwise with respect to the handle portion.

4. A can opener comprising a handle portion having a depending blade offset to engage inside the rim of the can, and a. depending guide portion arranged to project downwardly outside of the rim of the can, a plate having a slot and pin connection to the front end of the handle portion, the rear end of the plate having an inclined edge slidable in the guide, thus being operable to lock the rim of a can between the handle and the plate, and a feeding wheel mounted in the plate in position to engage under the rim of the can and provided with means whereby it may be turned.

JOHN FLEACA. 

